Complications of intraperitoneal dextran application for prevention of adhesions

In 47 patients (dextran group: 32 patients, control group: 15 patients) undergoing laparotomy for microsurgical detachment of adhesions and tuboplasty, the complications of a repeated postoperative intraperitoneal instillation of 6% dextran 60 (5 days) were monitored. In the dextran treated group, abdominal pain and dyspnea occurred significantly more frequently than in the control group. In 6 cases, we observed an edema of the vulva and in two cases an edema of the thigh. During the intraperitoneal irrigation with dextran, a significant increase of body weight and central venous pressure occurred. Bradycardia was observed between the 3rd and 6th postoperative days. Blood pressure remained unchanged. 75% of the patients in the dextran group had pleural effusions containing dextran on the 5th postoperative day. We think that the uncertain desired effects of dextran in the prevention of adhesions do not outweigh the certain and substantial undesired side effects.